BIKERS are planning a 24-hour ride to commemorate the 100th anniversary of one of the bloodiest battles of all time.

The Royal British Legion Riders [RBLR] of County Durham and Cleveland are holding an event to mark the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, starting on July 1.

They are planning a 24-hour ride, covering around 750 miles, visiting war memorials and cenotaphs to mark the first day of the battle, which was the single worst day for casualties in the history of the British Army.

Branch organiser Andy Bridger said: “This event is for the people of County Durham to commemorate those brave lads of the DLI who fought at the Somme - it would be an ideal opportunity to show the world how much the DLI means to this region.

“It is well documented that the Durhams were involved in the first offensive and last actions of the battle. As such the RBLR and Durham Cathedral will be marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the battle.”

A vigil is planned for Friday, July 1, which will start at 7.28am by the beating of a regimental bass drum. At 7.30am an officer’s whistle, which was used at the Somme, will be blown to mark the start of the ride.

The whistle, along with a container of soil brought back from Thiepval on the Somme, will be carried on the ride and blown at some of the stops along the route.

The bikers will ride through the night and are expecting to arrive at the Don Bar, in Stockton, where they would like to meet DLI veterans before heading back to Durham.

They are expecting to arrive at about 11.50am on Saturday, July 2, in time for another service at the cathedral at 12.30pm.

Mr Bridger added: “We would like to fully fill the cathedral to show the world how much we value the bravery, commitment and for many the ultimate sacrifice made by the grandfathers, fathers, sons, uncles and brothers of Durham and the North of England.”

On July 1, 1916 there were 57,470 British casualties. By the time the battle ended in November that year more than one million people had been killed.

Of the 15,000 soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry who fought on the Somme, over half were wounded, killed, or reported missing.

A commemorative evensong is also planned at Durham Cathedral for 5.30pm on June 30, the day before the anniversary.